Weekend Preview: Lots To Tell

This weekend sure has the making of one that will spell out the entire playoff picture for this year. Three spots remain in the hottest race ever. Last night things were made even more interesting with Francis Doe’s coming out party against New England as DC United pushed themselves back into the mix.

Just when you think they are dead huh? Yeah, well two clubs are pretty much dead in the water (San Jose and Toronto) but the rest are not. We may not find out about the wildcard births just yet but I do have a feeling we will get a better understanding of who will come in third place out west.

As always feel free to pipe in your predictions below. I’m sure to be wrong on nearly all of them but I do reserve the right to gloat endlessly if I do get one right.

Chicago Fire – at – Toronto FC: Look Toronto is pretty much all but done here. Three points or bust is what will the slogan will be in the locker room. Thing is after last night’s result in DC they will need some big time help even if they win these next two. Those are some big if’s. Chicago on the other hand just needs to find some mojo before the playoffs begin. They’ve coasted along for the last two months or so and that won’t cut it in the second season. I think both clubs get up for this game but I see desperation win over here with Toronto going out on top here.

WVH Prediction: Toronto 2, Chicago 1

——————————————————————————————–

Columbus Crew – at – New York Red Bulls: One of the few bad losses that the Crew took this year was on the road against the Red Bulls at the start of the year. I wonder if they use that as motivation for this game even though they’ve wrapped everything but a MLS Cup title up here this year. New York is in a world of hurt right now after yesterday’s news about Jon Conway and Jeff Parke. Losing Conway is killer as even with him they weren’t all that great. Now a reserve has to step up. Aside from that the Red Bulls have been largely inconsistent for a month or so now. Its a three points or bust kind of game for them after last night’s result. I think the Crew make it interesting and squeeze a draw out of this one. New York is good enough on a given day to win but their defense and the lack of Conway scares me for this one.

WVH Prediction: New York 1, Columbus 1

——————————————————————————————–

San Jose Earthquakes – at – Kansas City Wizards: I believe the Quake’s chances are about as slim as they could possibly get without saying they are eliminated here. They can play spoiler though as KC is looking to take their own chances and turn them into reality. KC has the schedule and the ability to reach the second season again but they cannot slip up at home against a very dangerous San Jose club. I see the Wizards stepping up thanks to guys like Jimmy Conrad here and they get the three points. But don’t be shocked if the Quakes pull the upset in this one; KC always likes to wait until the final weekend to clinch a playoff spot.

WVH Prediction: KC 2, San Jose 1

———————————————————————————————

LA Galaxy – at – Houston Dynamo: Another club with a lot of “if’s” surrounding their playoff hopes visits a club trying to wrap up a conference title. LA, like Toronto and San Jose would need a lot of help to reach the playoff and I for one don’t see it happening. Houston played very well in the midweek and I think that will carry over even with some tired legs. The Galaxy defense is still largely pathetic here and on the road they are even worse.

WVH Prediction: Houston 2, LA 1

———————————————————————————————

FC Dallas – at – Real Salt Lake: Here’s the big one on the menu for the weekend. RSL moves into the playoffs for the first time with a win, Dallas just makes things that much tigher if they win. This one should be a solid game as both are pushing hard for that third and final automatic bid out west. Their matches this season have entertaining as well. I think for Dallas they have to control the pace from the start and not allow RSL and their fans into this one. I think the 12th man situation will help RSL out in the end on this one and carry them into the playoffs for the first time. Dallas still has a shot but it will be a slim one.

WVH Prediction: RSL 2, Dallas 0

———————————————————————————————

Colorado Rapids – at – Chivas USA: Colorado still has a slim chance of their own here while Chivas is hoping to catch up to Houston for that western conference crown. To be quick I like Chivas much more at home than I do with the Rapids on the road. The Goats have been much more impressive in recent weeks and that is the way to do it in this league before the playoffs. I see them keeping their momentum up here with a nice win to knock Colorado out (not officially though).

WVH Prediction: Chivas 3, Colorado 1

nick

I'm trying to decide as a Crew supporter who I want to come out with wins this weekend. <br />
<br />
I'm definately all for playing the Red Bulls and a reserve goalkeeper in the first round of the playoffs. But Angel in an MVP run season could be dangerous in big games. <br />
<br />
Dallas might not be bad since we've played well against them this year.<br />
<br />
But I know I don't want KC or Real. They've been playing well lately, and assuming they won out and got in they would be coming into the playoffs pretty hot, so I'll cheer against them. Real also has the best goals against at home. <br />
<br />
Of course ideally we would completely shell DC and Chicago (knocking out our rivals), and then beat the Dynamo to dethrone their place at the top of the league for the last couple years.

nick

I’m trying to decide as a Crew supporter who I want to come out with wins this weekend.

I’m definately all for playing the Red Bulls and a reserve goalkeeper in the first round of the playoffs. But Angel in an MVP run season could be dangerous in big games.

Dallas might not be bad since we’ve played well against them this year.

But I know I don’t want KC or Real. They’ve been playing well lately, and assuming they won out and got in they would be coming into the playoffs pretty hot, so I’ll cheer against them. Real also has the best goals against at home.

Of course ideally we would completely shell DC and Chicago (knocking out our rivals), and then beat the Dynamo to dethrone their place at the top of the league for the last couple years.

Cannon Girl

My Joe (TEN SAVES 2NITE!!!) and his Quakes almost won tonight but the Wizzies broke the 2-2 tie in the final seconds of the 3 minute stoppage time (AARRGGHH!!) and all I have to say is…they have one game left, they're still MY boys, and I'm STILL proud of them—WHO-OOOOOOOOOOOO—GO QUAKES!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Cannon Girl

My Joe (TEN SAVES 2NITE!!!) and his Quakes almost won tonight but the Wizzies broke the 2-2 tie in the final seconds of the 3 minute stoppage time (AARRGGHH!!) and all I have to say is…they have one game left, they’re still MY boys, and I’m STILL proud of them—WHO-OOOOOOOOOOOO—GO QUAKES!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂